Michigan

Best Cities to Live in Michigan: A Quick Guide

Home to vast forests, scenic lakeshores and pristine national parks, Michigan lies right at the heart of the Great Lakes region. A wonderful state to live in and explore, it has loads for locals and tourists to see and do. The cozy towns and lively cities, plus all the sublime...

Destinations

Introduction

One of the most scenic states in the US, Michigan remarkably boasts over 12,000 inland lakes and more beaches than the entire Atlantic seaboard with endless forest coating just over half its territory. While its natural riches are sure to delight outdoor enthusiasts, the Wolverine State also has some fabulous cities and towns nestled away amidst all its wonderful wilderness.

Lying right at the heart of the Great Lakes region, its two massive peninsulas are almost completely surrounded by water with Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior all bordering it. Also part of the Upper Midwest, the state shares either a land or water boundary with Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio with Canada lying to the north and east.

While the rural, rugged and remote Upper Peninsula is barely inhabited and mostly consists of lush forests home to small mounts, rapids and waterfalls, the larger Lower Peninsula is where almost all Michigan’s population resides. Known as ‘the Mitten’ due to its distinct shape, its forests and farms are dotted with lovely lakes and waterways with beautiful beaches lining its shores.

Here too you can find Detroit – the state’s largest and liveliest city – and the attractive Ann Arbor; a major destination for football fans, festivalgoers and art lovers. After having explored Motor City’s world-class museums, thriving music scene and wealth of historic sights, it is also well worth checking out popular Mackinac Island and Saugatuck-Douglas – a trendy beachside resort town.

One of the main reasons that people visit Michigan, however, is for its incredible landscapes, scenery and nature with Isle Royale National Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore two of its biggest draws. At both you can swim, sail and fish or camp and hike in their forests and dunes with skiing and snowboarding also enjoyed in the winter months.